Alabama Football: Power Ranking the Tide's Best QBs of All Time

Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesAfter leading Alabama to its second consecutive crystal football in as many season's as the Tide's starting quarterback, AJ McCarron has moved up the list of the school's all-time greats at QB.

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After leading his club to a second consecutive national title, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron instantly etched his name into a special place in Crimson Tide football lore.

With a senior season left to play this fall, McCarron has a chance to write a final chapter in his college career that can move him to the top of the list as the greatest quarterback in Tide history.

That previous sentence is an extremely powerful one, considering the legacy of players that have lined up under center over the years at the Capstone.

While McCarron has spearheaded Nick Saban’s modern dynasty, past legends like Pat Trammell and Joe Namath are just a few of the notable quarterbacks that carried the torch for some of Paul “Bear” Bryant’s best teams in the 1960's.

Those field generals represent a long history of winning and excellence that is best personified by a school that has won 15 national championships.

Which signal-callers make the cut as the best to ever suit up for the Crimson Tide?

4. Jay Barker

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

After guiding the Crimson Tide to a 35-2-1 record as a starter from 1991-94, Jay Barker was largely responsible for Alabama’s first renaissance in the post-Bear Bryant era.

Barker’s first season in charge resulted in a perfect 13-0 record in 1992, and it was capped by defeating heavily-favored Miami 34-13 in the Sugar Bowl to win the school’s only national title between the tenures of Bryant and Saban.

Barker was never a flashy player on the gridiron, but his 5,689 career passing yards place him sixth all-time in school history.

His senior season was his best statistically, which culminated in him winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award given to the country’s top senior quarterback.

1. Joe Namath

Namath may be known to fans across the nation for his exploits in the NFL, but his career at Alabama paved the way for his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

The Pennsylvania import with a brash flair for the game made for an odd fit with the stern Bryant, but the duo managed to accumulate a 29-4 record together from 1962-64.

His senior season saw him take home All-American honors and lead the Tide to the second national title of Bryant’s career.

Namath’s unique blend of skill, smarts and brawn represent the ultimate blend of characteristics that embodies the excellence of Alabama’s long list of decorated signal-callers.

Long before Namath would go on to make his famous Super Bowl guarantee and become “Broadway Joe,” he starred for three seasons at the Capstone and left a lasting impression as the best quarterback to ever suit up at the University of Alabama.